Benilde seeks sanctions vs. Uson, Olivar over sign language video

FILE: Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson with Drew Olivar (Photo: MOCHA USON BLOG/Facebook)

The government should impose penalties to Communications Assistant Secretary (ASec) Margaux “Mocha” Uson and blogger Andrew Olivar over their controversial video where they made fun of sign language, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) President Brother Dennis Magbanua said on Wednesday, September 19.

“We call on the government to take action against Mr. Olivar and ASec. Uson and impose the appropriate penalties as provided by law,” Magbanua said.

In a video shared by Uson on her Facebook page, Olivar was seen imitating sign language and making sounds supposedly made by a hearing-impaired person. The Palace official, meanwhile, could be heard laughing in the background.

Magbanua viewed Uson and Olivar’s action as a “clear violation” of Republic Act (RA) No. 9442 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons. He also cited the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (UNCRPD) in which the country is a signatory.

“The mimicry of sign language and of the Deaf’s voice, as well as the statements of incitement and insult from a government official and a blogger, are definitely, discriminating against the Deaf, their culture, and language,” the school president said.

Magbanua also said actions that Uson had shown were ‘unbecoming’ of a government official, contrary to what is stated under Republic Act (RA) No. 6713, also known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

“We urge this government to consider the removal of ASec. Uson,” he appealed.

He also called on the radio station DWIZ, where the duo has a radio show, to “enforce values o truth, respect, and decency in broadcasting not just from their program hosts but from their guests as well.”

As an educational institution which houses the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies and the Benilde Deaf School, DLS-CSB vowed to continue to hold liable those individuals who “demean and ridicule” the Filipino Deaf Community and Filipino Sign Language.

Senator Nancy Binay, who authored the Filipino Sign Language (FSL) bill, earlier chided Uson and Olivar for their ‘discriminatory’ gestures.

[READ: Nancy Binay chides Mocha Uson, Drew Olivar for ‘mocking’ sign language]

The two had already issued their apologies separately to the deaf community.

Uson and Olivar previously earned the ire of not just the public but also several government officials for their controversial ‘ipederalismo’ jingle last month.